Move over Popeye: Man eats seven pounds of spinach in five minutes

Monday

Sep 29, 2008 at 12:01 AMSep 29, 2008 at 11:22 PM

Some did it for the glory. Some did it to push their bodies to the limit. Harvard junior Tyler Sipprelle entered b.good’s fifth annual garlicky spinach eating contest for the year’s worth of free burgers that goes to the winner. “I love spinach, so I didn’t see a downside,” he said.

Caitlin Gallagher

Some did it for the glory. Some did it to push their bodies to the limit. Harvard junior Tyler Sipprelle entered b.good’s fifth annual garlicky spinach eating contest for the year’s worth of free burgers that goes to the winner. “I love spinach, so I didn’t see a downside,” he said.

Nearly 100 spectators gathered outside of the b.good restaurant on Dunster Street in Harvard Square this past Saturday afternoon to watch nine contestants — two ranked competitive eaters and seven amateurs — battle for the title of Garlicky Greens Eating World Champion. In addition to bragging rights and the free burgers, contestants were hoping to take home the coveted b.good champion’s belt.

Traditionally, the competition has been fairly informal — a friendly competition between customers and employees. But this year, the competition took on a new level of gravity. In January, a member of Major League Eating contacted Jon Olinto, b.good’s co-founder and owner, about making it an official Major League Eating event. This meant some changes to the format and strict adherence to the group rules, including requiring the presence of an EMT.

Despite the increased attention brought on by the presence of ranked competitive eaters, Olinto was still gunning for a customer to win. “We expect our customers to be committed enough that they’ll risk stomach injuries, permanent esophagus damage … whatever it might be. We want them to really go all out,” he said.

Contestants were given five minutes, a series of one-pound plates of cooked spinach, and a stern warning by the professional emcee that any intestinal “reversal of fortune” by the “gurgitators” during the competition would result in immediate disqualification. Then he gave the go-ahead to start eating.

Despite an all-out downpour around the three-minute mark, the crowd’s — and the competitors’ — energy remained high. Onlookers watched in awe as “gurgitators” downed plate after plate of cooked spinach. Some opted for the traditional stuff-as-much-as-you-can-into-your-mouth tactic, while others chose to squeeze out and swallow the juice before wolfing down the spinach.

At the final bell, all nine hopefuls were covered in spinach — but the winner was clear. Peter “Pretty Boy” Davekos, 30, of Waltham, who is ranked No. 25 in the world by Major League Eating, had finished seven pounds of spinach in five minutes. Spinach-loving Harvard junior Tyler “T-Sip” Sipprelle tied for third place, alongside last year’s winner and behind the two pros. Although free burgers aren’t in his future, he was pleased with his performance.